Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly will be doing that. Part of my remit is to make sure there is job growth in the regions. There are particular issues in the areas the Deputy mentioned. I will make a number of points. Clearly, we want to continue to export to the UK but there will have to be some developments and we will have to reposition our offer to some degree. The UK market, however, will remain key. Having said that, we will be obliged to make a number of other strategic responses to Brexit. We will have to look at innovation and market diversification. Those companies will have to if they have not engaged already. It varies quite a lot. Some companies are really analysing very carefully and clearly the potential impact of Brexit although it is hard to know precisely given the uncertain state of the negotiations at this point in the early stages. Some companies are examining that. The Department is working on measures targeted at the needs of companies across the economy around working capital and business development because we will have to support our companies during this very difficult period for them.

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